Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1887-01-12
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
THE UTAH BILL IN THE HOUSE.
INTERSTATE COMMERCE BILL.
Further Discussion in the Senate

Further Discussion in the Senate.
The Senate.
On motion OF Mr. sewell, the House amendment
to the Senate bill for public building at Camden,
N. j. dimitfng expenditures for site and building
to 500. 900, was concurred in
Mr. Hoar, from the committee on claims, re-
ported the Senate bill to extend the time for fling
claims in the court of claims under the French
SpOnatlOn act, Tor twelve months additional; and,
on his motion. the bill was considered and passed.
Mr. Malone, from the committee on public
buildings, reported bills for public buildings at
Jefferson, Tex, and Hastings. Neb. Calendar
MI Manderson introduced bill to facilitate pro-
motions ana to retire from active service, on their
during the war of the rebellion three years, as
officers or enlisted men, in the volunteer or regu-
lar army. Referred.
FIVE MILLION FOR COAST DRFENsEs.
Mr.. Dolph, from the committee on coast defenses,
reported tas an amendment to be offered to the
bill to encourage the manufacture OF steel for
ordnance) an item appropriating S, ,0OO, 900 for
the construction OF fOrt1fcations and other works
OF defense Ordered printed.
TEE BERDAN CLAIM.
On motion OF Mr.. Platt, the Senate bill authoriZ-
Ing settlement OF the claim of Hiram Berdan, as
signee OF the Berdan Firearms company for the
use by the governmental the Berdan improvement
in firearms, was taken up.
MT: Cockrell opposed the bill, and read letter
received Dy senator Beck in reference to bill
passed last week to pay $4,000 to the widow and
daughter OF Erskine S. Alltn, formerly armorer at
tne Springfield armory the letter was to the e1ect
that after trial at the Springfield armory of some
twenty breech-lOading inventions, they were all
taken TO Aims otice and Photographed, and that
from these photographs and the suggestions OF his
fellow workmen Allin had worked out his I'M
prOvepent.
Mr.. flatt asked who the writer of the letter was.
A ne toI>l1f
character and standing. This Alin case is only
sample OF these patent claims against the govern
ment.
Mr.. Hoar asked Mr.. Cockrell whether the invent
ors OF this country were not, as Glass; as honest
as any other people-as honest for instance as the
inventors from the cOnfederacy.
Mr.. COckrell disclaimed knowledge of any claims
against the government by any inventors Of the
Mr. Dawes defended the action of the Senate in
the All1n case.
THE BILL PASSED.
After further discussion the Berdan bill (referrfng
the matter to the Court OF Cla1ms) was passed.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION BILL
Mr.. Allison, from the committee ON appropria-
uons reported back the army appropriations bill
with amendments. Ordered printed.
On motion of Mr.. Ingalls,, the Senate bill to
amend section 3749 of the Revised Statutes In re-
gard to renting or selling government property,
was taken up and passed
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE BILL
The Senate then, at Ills, resumed consideration
OF the interstate commerce BILL and was addressed
by Mr.. Call, who declared his concurrence in the
great objects Of public policy that were sought to
De carried into enect by the original bill and by
Mr.. Ingalls, expressed the hope that Mr.. Cullom
would not insist on vote to-day.
FICTITIOUS CAPITAL
Mr.. Call referred to the fact stated in the work
Of Mr. Pool that the capitalization of the railroads
OF the country exceeded their actual cost by three
thousand million dollars, and complained that the
rates charged for transportation were to pay in
terest and dividends on this fictitious and pre-
tended capital. The people were now paying an
annual tax OF three hundred millions this f1cti-
tfous capital He could see nothing in that uf it
We're permitted to contnue) but the ruin OF the re-
public.
House Of Representatives.
The Speaker announced the appointment OF
Messrs. Skinner, Peel and Perkins as conferees on
the bill for the allotment Of land in severalty to
Indians.
THE COMMITTEE ON THE JUDICIARY HAVE THE FLOOR.
The floor was then under special order, ac-
corded to the committee on the judiciary.
Mr.. Collins Nass.) called up the bill providing
an additional circuit judge in the second judicial
circuit. Mr.. Collins stated that an additional
judge was imperattvey demanded.
Mr.. Mills rex,) admitted the large amount of
business to be transacted In the second circuit but
pointed the more cases would arise for adjudica-
tion. the proper course to pursue was to make
t tne o. dederminaton OF custom cases by the collec
passed. ID.
g THE ANTI-POLYGAMY BILL.
The House then proceeded to the consideration
of the Edmunds anti -polygamy bill and the Tucker
substitute therefor.
After the reading Of both measures Mr. Tucker
continue for four hours to be divided between the
friends and opponents Of the bill.
nority report Considered the time fpadeouate he He
would consent to 1t because he could not get any
more. In his opinion portions OF this far-reaching
Mr. E. B. Taylor, Of Ohio, gave brief sketch of
the eStaDlsnment OF the Mormon church in Utah
and the efforts which had been made by Congress
TO suppress the practice of pOlygamy.
DELEGATE CAME OPPOSES THE BILL
Mr.. Caine Utah) earnestly opposed the measure
as undemOcratfc, un-Amertcan and wantOnly de-
structtve OF human right, and because it set at
naught the immutable principles upon which the
common rights OF man were bottOmed, and turned
the MOrmonS and their church over to Unsuitable
spoilers.
District i'm Congress.
PAIRING THE DISTRICT APPROPRIATION BILL.
The subcommittee, In forming the District an
priation BILL aimed to be generous In appropria-
tions for school purposes, for street Improvements
departments. Wherever else there could be any
money Topped OF the bill, by way Of saving, they
nave cut close.
TO KEEP THE POTOMAC RIVER OPEN
In the Senate to-day resolution submitted by
Mr.. Malone, was adopted, directing the committee
on commerce to inquire and report on the best
means of keeping the Potomac river open to navi-
gatOn, ana TO prevent the obstruction OF the river
by ice or from other causes
Capitol Topics.
NEGOTIATIONS WITH NICARAGUA.
the senate in secret session yesterday adopted
resolution advising the President to enter into
negotiations with Nicaragua for concessions for
an tnter-oceanic canal. The resolution, which was
reported 1r0m the foreign relations committee,
was debated at some length, and after stout OppO.
Mti0n passed. An effort was made to take up the
BRUSH extradittOn treaty, but pending action on
the motion the Senate adjourned.
THE PROPOSED NEW LABOR DEPARTMENT.
The bill which passed the House yesterday pro-
v1des that there shall be at the seat
OF government an executive department to
be known as the department OF agriculture and
labor under the control of secretary Of
agriculture and labor and an assistant
secretary. There shall be In the department
division which shall be under the charge OF a COM
missioner OF labor, who shall hold his ONCE for
Iour years, and until bis successor shall be
appointed, unless sooner removed and shall re-
c6lV0 salary nd dOllo a no